Oksana + Damian | a European love affair

E Schmidt Photography | Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer | Inn at St. John's wedding

Oksana & Damian’s Inn at St. John’s wedding was so incredibly special. Their wedding guests came here from all over the world! There were so many beautiful traditions that were included in their wedding day. My favorite might have been Oksana’s Friends and Mothers singing traditional Ukranian songs as she got ready and into her dress. There was also the blessing by their parents just before the ceremony. Oksana, Damian, their wedding party and many of their closest relatives (along with Allison & I) jammed into the Bridal Room for such a touching blessing. It’s funny, a lot of the day was spoken in languages I didn’t understand, but love is a universal language. My heart felt so full seeing the love and emotion I witnessed.

As many of you may know, the chapel at The Inn at St. John’s has a strict policy with photography that requires photographers to stand at the back of the chapel and not move during the ceremony. Oksana & Damian’s ceremony was a real treat for me, as their Priest told me exactly where I should stand for photos because the traditions they would be partaking in were very important to witness and capture. Now, that’s a Man of my heart :)

And it rained. A lot. But it all kind of worked out as we were getting ready to start photos of just Oksana & Damian, the rain held off just enough for us to run outside. And we took every minute we could before it started up again! It’s honestly hard for me to explain how intimate and beautiful their day was – I guess you had to be there ;) Oksana + Damian, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your day. You two are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met and I will forever remember your day xo, e

Bride: Oksana

Groom: Damian

Their wedding in three words: Best day ever!

Oksana’s favorite memory of the day: Ugh…I have a couple. Is that ok? :) 1. getting into my dress with mom and bridesmaids 2. first look (actually number one) 3. first dance with my husband 4. dancing with my husband, all my friends and family from Germany to German songs and singing around midnight 5. singing session of Ukrainian songs after reception in Presidential suite

Damian’s favorite memory of the day: Seeing my wife for the first time looking so beautiful in her dress. Something I will never forget.

Wedding planning advice for newly engaged couples:

– start planning early – try to get vendors for everything so you don’t have to worry about anything on that day (assembling centerpieces by ourselves was a pain + so much work – something we shouldn’t have to worry about that day) – good music – we were so happy that we picked an indoor venue. It was not supposed to rain that day but turned into a rainy day last minute. You never know.

Honeymoon location: Eurotrip some time next year

– The Jams –

Grand Entrance: “Bedzie Zabawa” (Polish song “There will be a party”)

First Dance: “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison

Father/Daughter: Dva Koliory (Ukrainian song “Two colors”)

Mother/Son: Dva Koliory (Ukrainian son “Two colors”)